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electronic cigarette
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One of the client populations served by our organization is senior citizens (over 60). I had a call from one of our centers that a new client is using an electronic cigarette and also smoking the real
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/1/2010 9:53 AM EDT
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Posts: 323
First: 6/15/1999 Last: 9/9/2011 |
One of the client populations served by our organization is senior citizens (over 60). I had a call from one of our centers that a new client is using an electronic cigarette and also smoking the real things (in the parking lot). We are a tobacco free workplace and ask that our clients refrain from smoking outside as well. Because we do not own all of our buildings, and in some locations share with other agencies, we cannot have total control over what happens outside the doors/in the parking lots - except with employees. I think they have cut the seniors a little slack, but most have agreed to refrain from smoking while at the centers. The electronic cigarette presents a little different problem as it is ruled as a drug dispensing device - not a tobacco product, and the client is using the product inside the center.
The little gizmo is new to me so I had to do a little research. Apparently, it is available in the form that looks like a ball point pen. The questions arise that if the person were sucking on a pen rather than something that looks like a cigarette, who would have known and even if we knew it was dispensing nicotine, would we have felt the need to address it (beyond expressing any health concerns)? Any thought anyone? |
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/1/2010 10:22 AM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
In some environments a client is a more friendly name for a resident; nursing homes and assisted living facilities for example. There are many court cases upholding the rights of these clients (residents) to smoke inside otherwise smoke free facilities. I am not certain this is your situation, I only offer it just in case.
Over all I would, with those buildings you own, enforce your smoking policy including the use of so called electronic cigarettes. In those you do not own you can enforce the rules in the space you lease but areas common to other occupants, hallways and parking lots for example, you cannot. |
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/1/2010 10:25 AM EDT
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Posts: 1771
First: 10/24/2002 Last: 9/14/2011 |
The reason that smoking cigarettes is banned pretty much everywhere is that they release poisonous smoke into the air, not because they happen to look like cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes do not release any smoke (poisonous or non) into the air, ergo they are not banned.
Electronic cigarettes are just like nicotine patches except they're used in/around the mouth instead of on the arms, stomach or back. They also happen to look like cigarettes. If you've banned the use of nicotine patches at your workplace, then it would make sense to ban electronic cigarettes as well. If you've banned "things that look like cigarettes" at your workplace, then you should ban electronic cigarettes too. However, if your smoking ban is more about preventing the emission of toxic smoke into the air, then banning electronic cigarettes is not required. |
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/1/2010 10:34 AM EDT
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Posts: 1771
First: 10/24/2002 Last: 9/14/2011 |
HRPro, please note that an electronic cigarette does not contain or burn tobacco. Electronic cigarettes are cigarette-shaped plastic tubes that contain the same substance found in a nicotine patch. I have a hard time understanding how it could be okay to use nicotine at work as long as it's contained in flat, square, sticky, flesh-coloured pieces of latex, or in small Chiclet-shaped pieces of gum, yet somehow NOT okay when it's contained in a narrow three-inch-long plastic tube. |
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/1/2010 10:50 AM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
hrbth thank you. I remain opposed to their use in the workplace. They are nothing more than another form of promoting a smoking culture and for that reason they are counter productive to an employers smoking cessation efforts. Further, because of higher nicotine absorption rates, electronic cigarettes increase addiction issues. So, in support of smoking cessation they remain banned in workplaces I have influence over.
Anyone else can chose to do differently. |
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/1/2010 10:59 AM EDT
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Posts: 323
First: 6/15/1999 Last: 9/9/2011 |
Thanks to all. I agree about the patches and gum and my first response was to question whether we have any center guidelines or policies about other "drug dispensing devices". I am pretty sure we do not.
I guess having it look like a cigarette provides some psycholigical comfort (I'm a former smoker). "Our Seniors", as we like to call them, are not residents. We provide transportation, a congregate meal, and educational/recreational activities in hopes of preventing isolation - and to promote continued independence. |
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/1/2010 11:19 AM EDT
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Posts: 1771
First: 10/24/2002 Last: 9/14/2011 |
Again, the reason you want to ban smoking - because you're concerned about non-smokers' health, or because you're against nicotine, or because you want to help smokers to quit - will dictate whether or not you'll allow electronic cigarettes (or nicotine patches/gum or caffeine, etc.) in your workplaces. |
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/1/2010 12:00 PM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
So in essence you operate a Senior Center. You can ban anything you want inside those centers. If you own the parking lot you can also ban them there. Common areas in leased facilities, as I shared above, are pretty much outside your control. |
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electronic cigarette
posted at 9/15/2010 3:42 AM EDT
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Posts: 46
First: 9/14/2005 Last: 5/23/2011 |
Funny, we just had a meeting regarding e cigs yesterday. The conclusion is that e cigs are considered a smoking product and also has not been approved by the FDA. We believe that this would be a violation to our non-smoking policy in the work area.
Being that I work for a health insurance company, its not a good look. |
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